NORMAL SEXUALITY
PARENTAL WARNING: NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN; READ WITH CAUTION
Believe it or not, sex is a topic that the Bible has a lot to say about. The prevailing thought for many has been just the opposite: If the Bible has anything to say, we're certainly not going to talk about it, and if we do, all we'll say is that it's bad and dirty. Done. Unfortunately, the people of God when it comes to this subject, have often times found themselves being more prudish than God, and that to their shame. The fact is, if their was ever a time the Church needed to speak with clarity on sex, it is now. Not that immorality wasn't around before, but it seems that in America we're exposed to it constantly on Billboards, T.V., the Internet and on and on it goes. We are sex crazed and mores about it are not determined by God's view on the subject, but are based on what the culture tells us, or worse, what our own bodies tell us. To counteract this, let's take some time to detail what the Bible forbids, and tomorrow we'll discuss what the Bible encourages in regard to sex.
1. Adultery- This of course is the sixth commandment (at least according to us Lutherans) and really sets the tone for everything else the Bible teaches on sexuality. The idea behind this of course is that one must always remain sexually faithful to their spouse (whether married yet or not) in thought, word, and deed, (Matthew 5:27-30). So, right off the bat, we learn that sex is not always prohibited. As a matter of fact, one of the first commands to Adam and Eve (the first married couple) was to have sex and lots of it ("be fruitful and multiply"). Sex was something that God created to be enjoyed between a married couple with the ultimate result being multiplication. The Bible even seems to imply in Genesis 2:24 that the marriage wasn't consummated until the sexual union took place!
So then, any sexual activity outside of the marriage bed in thought, word, or deed is prohibited and thereby sinful. Any sex outside of marriage would be considered abnormal and deviant, not reflecting God's plan. After all, since He created it, He probably knows how it works best. Everything else I will write about are different facets of adultery.
2. Masturbation- Many a teenager has sought to show that the Bible doesn't say anything specifically about masturbation and therefore it's ok right? Not exactly. It is true that the subject is not really brought up in it of itself, but the principles the Bible teach clearly speak against it. Jesus said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (or a man) with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In one's minds eye, if lust is going on for someone who is not your spouse, than it's forbidden.
3. Pornography- Going along with number 2 of course is number 3, pornography. There is no allowance for this at all; it is cheating mentally with another person's spouse, or daughter, or son. I know this is obvious to most of you, but more and more, porn has become acceptable in the broader society.
4. Trans sexuality- Again, not to strike on the obvious, but any sort of trans sexuality is forbidden. God made sex for a man and a woman in marriage, not a man dressed as a woman with another man, or a woman dressed as a man with a man, or any other deviancy.
5. Homosexuality- Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 plainly state that homosexual behavior is considered abnormal, and thereby sinful, by God. Remember, God as the Creator of sex says that He created it for the purpose of a married male and female.
6. Necking, Making Out, Feeling Up, Dry Sex, Oral Sex etc, etc.- Outside of marriage, all of these things are forbidden. Once again, how many seek to justify some of this behavior because they say it's not "sex". LOL, please...
I'm sure there is much more that I could say here about what's forbidden, but I think you get the point. Every person at some time or another has struggled with temptation towards immorality, and frankly, failed. How does the Bible say we should handle this temptation?
1 Corinthians 6:18- Flee from sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 John 1:9-10- If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Tomorrow, we talk about what Godly sexuality actually is....
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Erick
RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....
PARENTAL WARNING: NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN; READ WITH CAUTION
Believe it or not, sex is a topic that the Bible has a lot to say about. The prevailing thought for many has been just the opposite: If the Bible has anything to say, we're certainly not going to talk about it, and if we do, all we'll say is that it's bad and dirty. Done. Unfortunately, the people of God when it comes to this subject, have often times found themselves being more prudish than God, and that to their shame. The fact is, if their was ever a time the Church needed to speak with clarity on sex, it is now. Not that immorality wasn't around before, but it seems that in America we're exposed to it constantly on Billboards, T.V., the Internet and on and on it goes. We are sex crazed and mores about it are not determined by God's view on the subject, but are based on what the culture tells us, or worse, what our own bodies tell us. To counteract this, let's take some time to detail what the Bible forbids, and tomorrow we'll discuss what the Bible encourages in regard to sex.
1. Adultery- This of course is the sixth commandment (at least according to us Lutherans) and really sets the tone for everything else the Bible teaches on sexuality. The idea behind this of course is that one must always remain sexually faithful to their spouse (whether married yet or not) in thought, word, and deed, (Matthew 5:27-30). So, right off the bat, we learn that sex is not always prohibited. As a matter of fact, one of the first commands to Adam and Eve (the first married couple) was to have sex and lots of it ("be fruitful and multiply"). Sex was something that God created to be enjoyed between a married couple with the ultimate result being multiplication. The Bible even seems to imply in Genesis 2:24 that the marriage wasn't consummated until the sexual union took place!
So then, any sexual activity outside of the marriage bed in thought, word, or deed is prohibited and thereby sinful. Any sex outside of marriage would be considered abnormal and deviant, not reflecting God's plan. After all, since He created it, He probably knows how it works best. Everything else I will write about are different facets of adultery.
2. Masturbation- Many a teenager has sought to show that the Bible doesn't say anything specifically about masturbation and therefore it's ok right? Not exactly. It is true that the subject is not really brought up in it of itself, but the principles the Bible teach clearly speak against it. Jesus said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (or a man) with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In one's minds eye, if lust is going on for someone who is not your spouse, than it's forbidden.
3. Pornography- Going along with number 2 of course is number 3, pornography. There is no allowance for this at all; it is cheating mentally with another person's spouse, or daughter, or son. I know this is obvious to most of you, but more and more, porn has become acceptable in the broader society.
4. Trans sexuality- Again, not to strike on the obvious, but any sort of trans sexuality is forbidden. God made sex for a man and a woman in marriage, not a man dressed as a woman with another man, or a woman dressed as a man with a man, or any other deviancy.
5. Homosexuality- Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 plainly state that homosexual behavior is considered abnormal, and thereby sinful, by God. Remember, God as the Creator of sex says that He created it for the purpose of a married male and female.
6. Necking, Making Out, Feeling Up, Dry Sex, Oral Sex etc, etc.- Outside of marriage, all of these things are forbidden. Once again, how many seek to justify some of this behavior because they say it's not "sex". LOL, please...
I'm sure there is much more that I could say here about what's forbidden, but I think you get the point. Every person at some time or another has struggled with temptation towards immorality, and frankly, failed. How does the Bible say we should handle this temptation?
1 Corinthians 6:18- Flee from sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 John 1:9-10- If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Tomorrow, we talk about what Godly sexuality actually is....
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Erick
RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....
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